This snare is pretty plain, if understated in appearance. It's a 1978 Tama fiberstar "black fiberglass" snare drum. I ran across this gem at Donn Bennett's drum studio in Bellvue, Washington. It was sitting in the back on a shelf. He wants something to the tune of $600 for it.

It's one of the most overlooked and underrated snares ever made. It's very loud and cutting, and crisp.

Okay here we go... YES, I know my drums are far too dusty. I didn't notice that until after the pics were taken and the drums were put up.

Mike Portnoy hammered steel 5 x 12 (MP125)
This is a great little snare. Very tight and poppy. I usually crank the heads pretty tight. The dual-setting strainer rocks. But with the head tension I use I also turn the snares off all the way and pound on it like a timbale.

thanks a lot!!! and they're being played all the time, these two (pics were made after I tuned them!). on our new CD it's only Monarch and Gladiator.

I switched from Remo Amba coated to Aquarian Texture coated half a year ago and have never regreted it for a second!

next is The Pageant, but I'm out of money right now...

Philippe: Is the Simon Monarch bronze loud? How would you describe its sound?? It is sensitive, crisp, or better for loud playing?

All: Are the current Artwood Custom maple snares (7 ply maple) worth the purchase? I'm looking for a good 4x14 maple snare, and the Artwood comes in that size. I snagged a 4x14 SC maple snare off ebay, but the seller burned me: tension rods rusting and the bottom bearing edge has a small dent. The SC 4x14 is also an 8 lug snare for some reason; the Artwood is 10 lug.

I bought this two months ago. It had a Fiberskyn batter on it so I left it on.........I'm really liking it.

One little thing right now is that whomever put the little lugs on it used the wrong Mounting Screws (10mm instead of the required 14mm for a 10mm thick SC G Maple shell) on one of the lugs. I found a 10mm screw rattling around in the drum a couple of days ago.

Great sounding drum - lots of body and sensitivity - one of my best in the collection so far.......smiles.

I've only ever talked to one guy who had the Albino Melody Master.... I don't know of any place that sells them. Portnoy hasn't used the Albino Monster since 2005 on the 20th Anniversary Octavarium tour so I doubt they're still around unless you're going to buy it on eBay or something somewhere.

To complete the hand-hammered steel collection posted on here, I have the 4" x 13" Hand-hammered steel soprano.
Day I bought her in-store - cell phone picture, excuse the quality.
Set up with my drumset

Hi there! Where ever that is...
As a newcomer and a wannabe around here let's add some more salt to the snare not snake soup: my Artstar Cordia, a beauty and a beast all at the same time - in size 8x14...

Beautiful snare i am actually looking for one of those. Just 2 questions,
Did you change the snare wires?
Did you get that while they were in production brand new, or did you buy it off someone,
thanks

__________________
One good thing about music, When it hits you feel no Pain

This snare is pretty plain, if understated in appearance. It's a 1978 Tama fiberstar "black fiberglass" snare drum. I ran across this gem at Donn Bennett's drum studio in Bellvue, Washington. It was sitting in the back on a shelf. He wants something to the tune of $600 for it.

It's one of the most overlooked and underrated snares ever made. It's very loud and cutting, and crisp.